Established in 1990, the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards nationally recognize exceptional talent in the culinary industry. This year, the awards honor a diverse lineup of dining experiences and chefs, with 12 semifinalists based in Houston. 

Out of the 12, three are found within a few blocks of each other in West University Place and fall under the Local Foods Group umbrella.

The local impact: Local Foods Group, a Houston hospitality service, represents one-fourth of the semifinalists based in Houston, including Milton’s, where Kent Domas and Seth Siegel-Gardner were named semifinalists in the Best Chefs category. Additional Houston semifinalists include Lee’s for the Best New Bar category and Adrian Torres, from Maximo, a West University Place Mexican restaurant, for the Emerging Chef category.

Something to note: The accolades also serve as a guide for fellow foodies and restaurateurs of places to try when traveling, as the foundation highlights “the people, cuisines and stories that define our nation’s culinary landscape.”

Dutch Bros Coffee opened its first location inside Loop 610 in October with the debut of a drive-thru near Rice Village.

In a nutshell: The University Boulevard location first made news in April 2025 with a filing from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation showing that construction for the $200,000 project would last from June to late September.

A representative with the brand confirmed that it opened officially on Oct. 26, 2025.

What they offer: Dutch Bros serves various types of caffeinated specialty beverages, as well as chai tea, cold brew, rebel energy drinks, freezes and smoothies.

• 2301 University Blvd., Houston

According to the National Weather Service, Winter Storm Fern is expected to move through the region starting Jan. 24 and bring freezing temperatures through Jan. 27. Officials with the NWS also noted wind chills will likely range from 5-15 degrees, which poses hypothermia and frostbite risks with prolonged exposure.

The update: Harris County and city of Houston officials announced 13 warming centers that will open Jan. 24, including:

• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center: 6719 W. Montgomery Road, Houston
• Bayland Community Center: 6400 Bissonnet St., Houston
• Denver Harbor MSC: 6402 Market St., Houston
• Fifth Ward MSC: 4014 Market St., Houston
• Fonde Community Center: 110 Sabine St., Houston
• Kashmere MSC: 4802 Lockwood Drive, Houston
• Magnolia MSC: 7037 Capitol St., Houston
• Metropolitan MSC: 1475 W. Gray St., Houston
• Moody Community Center: 3725 Fulton St., Houston
• Northeast MSC: 9720 Spaulding St., Houston
• Southwest MSC: 6400 High Star Drive, Houston

A far-reaching winter storm is expected to bring below-freezing temperatures, wintry precipitation and “dangerous ice” to Texas beginning Jan. 23, according to the National Weather Service. As residents brace for days of potentially hazardous conditions, state leaders said Jan. 22 that the Texas power grid “has never been stronger” and will withstand the storm.

What's happening: Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 of Texas’ 254 counties, telling reporters that the northern two-thirds of the state—from San Antonio to the Panhandle—will be impacted by the storm.

Officials said they do not expect a repeat of the widespread power outages that occurred during Winter Storm Uri in 2021, emphasizing that changes have been made in recent years to harden the grid against extreme weather. The governor said some Texans could see “local, isolated” outages due to fallen tree branches or ice on power lines.

"The severity of it is not quite as great... as Winter Storm Uri," Abbott said. "That said, people would be making a mistake if they don't take it serious."